We specialise in needlecrafts, patchwork, quilting, cross stitch, tapestry, felting and so much more. As we attend different events, launch new products, learn new techniques and who knows what else might takes our fancy, we will share our adventures with you.

Monday, December 30, 2013

What a busy week it has been with Christmas Day in the middle. But I have managed some sewing on the Celtic Solstice Mystery Quilt. I was a bit behind if you saw last weeks post. I have put in some extra time on this project to catch up, but I was naughty and I skipped Clue 3 the half square triangles and pin wheels when I saw Clue 4 the four patch blocks, I couldn't help myself it is one of my favourites.

I did manage to get back to Clue 2 and whip up a stack more of the chevron blocks .

So that brings me back to Clue 3 the one I skipped and I have started on the half square triangles.

With Clue 5 being released last Friday I do feel like I have caught up a lot in the last week. I was hoping for 2-3 full days of sewing over the Christmas break but it hasn't worked out. I might have to revise that back to 1-2 days of sewing and maybe not full days.

Thursday, December 26, 2013

It is sale time at Cynthia's Ark. We have a range of products on special until the 1st January 2014. Visit www.cynthiasark.com.au to grab a few bargains. Fabric specials start at $5 a metre. Minimum cut is only 50cm.
Charm Square packs start at $7.00. Normally $14 +
Fabric bundles start at $25.00 Normally $32-$40 +
Plus there is more on offer.

Monday, December 23, 2013

I am a little behind in Celtic Solstice Mystery Quilt. As clue #4 was just released and I'm only starting clue #2. Hopefully with some time off over Christmas I might be able to catch up. Here is some pictures of where I am up to.

These are my stacks of blocks from Clue #1. I am using the Inklingo method to piece this quilt and I hand pieced these blocks.

The first block from clue #2 is done and it measure up to the right size. It is one of the many great advantages in using Inklingo, with the stitching line printed on the fabric it is hard to go wrong. I think I better repress this one I might need a refresher on pressing look at this close up. So let hope I can sew a few of these up quickly.

Visit www.cynthiasark.com.au for a range of specials on offer until the 31st December 2013. Don't forget our Hot Deal of the Day you just never know what you might find on super special for just 24 hours.
Until next time Keep Stitching
Cynthia

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Today I spent the day preparing fabrics for 2 new projects. Both projects are going to be sewn using the Inklingo method of printing onto fabric using an inkjet printer. You cut out the shapes with your rotary cutter or scissors and then you sew them together by machine or by hand. (Your Choice)

Project 1 is a new design by me using hexagons and the Sweetness range of fabrics in stock at www.cynthiasark.com.au but will work with any range that has a border stripe in it.

Fabric printed with hexagons ready for cutting and sewing.

Project 2 is Bonnie Hunters Celtic Solstice Mystery Quilt and I am using the Inklingo method but Bonnie has instructions on other methods of piecing this project. So it is up to you.

Fabric selection for the Bonnie Hunter Celtic Solstice Mystery quilt.

A close up of the triangles printed on fabric from Clue #1

Fabric all printed ready for cutting and sewing from Clue #1 and #2.

You can find more information on printing on fabric at www.inklingo.com Linda has some great tutorials to get you started.

All fabric featured in this post is available for purchase at www.cynthiasark.com.au and don't forget our 12 days of Christmas promotion is running so it is a good time to make a purchase because every order receives a present.
Until next time keep stitching
Cynthia

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Starting today our 12 days of Christmas promotion is on. Each day there will be a different gift on offer when you place an order at www.cynthiasark.com.au This is our easiest promotion, just place an order and you will receive a Christmas Gift in your order. A early Christmas present from us to you. Every order will get a present until the 24th December. You are welcome to place as many orders as like. There is a number of specials across the shop, eg fabric bundles, patterns, threads, fabrics.Don't forget to visit our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cynthias-Ark/292822084166540 for more special offers, tutorials, patterns, freebies.

Sunday, December 8, 2013

This weekend I am taking the chance to do some cooking. I have a few recipes to try and I thought I would make a day of it.

As we are not big Christmas cake or pudding fans. I am trying my hand at making a brioche with sultanas and a little mixed peel. (A little bit like the Italian cake) Something light and fruity. Let say we are having a trial run as I am adjusting a recipe to achieve this cake.

It is really tasty with a little butter but I think it needs a little more fruit.

Next is the halloumi cheese experiment. I brought myself a cheese making kit a while ago and I have had a go at ricotta cheese, mascarpone cheese and quark cheese so far. This is the hardest cheese so far, I am working my way through the book. It turns out it is easier then I thought it was going to be. It isn't the prettiest looking block of cheese but at least it worked.

With the left over whey from the cheese I couldn't resist making a loaf of soda bread I substitute the whey for the buttermilk in the recipe. It works a treat.The rest of the whey gets diluted and go out to the garden to give the strawberries a feed. Don't like to see it go down the drain if I can use it elsewhere. Yummy it only take 5 minutes to mix and 30 minutes in the oven and you have fresh bread.

Finally I am making gingerbread biscuits as Christmas treats. I have stars, trees and gingerbread man cutters. So I am giving them a go as something different. We had one each just to test them. I am looking forward to decorating them.

Friday, December 6, 2013

December is under way and everyone is busy preparing for Christmas. At www.cynthiasark.com.au we have put together some specials for you, just in time for Christmas. We have our pre-cut fabric bundles on special including our gift boxed packs and our latest arrivals. These are perfect for last minute gifts for friends and family or for yourself.

This is our Pink batik gift boxed pack.

This is our Sasha fabric range gift boxed pack.

Also we have 6 new variety packs of Rajmahal Threads in stock. Rajmahal has chosen the threads and packed them beautifully with bow and gift card. Each pack contains 11 skeins of their beautiful silk threads. There is blue, green, gold, Autumn, Silhouettes and rouge(red) packs to choose from. They are on special until Christmas or sold out for $22.00.

Left to right Gold, Green, Autumn, Silhouettes and Rouge(Red).

And the blue pack.

Don't forget there is A Quilters Diary 2014. This diary is a must for every quilter out there, with a new design each week of the year. A diary always makes a good Christmas present.

We will be have our 12 days of Christmas promotion starting on the 13th December. So be ready for more Christmas fun. I have a couple new surprises planned this year. I have had 12 months since our first one to come up with some more fun for this years 12 days of Christmas promotion.

Saturday, November 30, 2013

What are you making for Christmas? I started my projects a few weeks ago. Once I found some suitable Christmas fabrics, some Christmas ornaments and sewing presents for my friends and then I had to make some cards to go with the hand made presents.

Hexagons cut ready to be sewn into Christmas gifts.

Cards are nearly finished just need to be sealed in and a few Merry Christmas stickers from Blue Edge Crafts.

A close up so you can see where I stitched using a multi coloured metallic thread.

These are easy to make and there is still some of this fabric (Christmas Ornaments) available in our web shop www.cynthiasark.com.au

What else to make? I would love to make a tree skirt for a full size tree but with our cats it would be a recipe for disaster. I can see them climbing the tree and knock it over, breaking the ornaments or using them for cat toys. I think that would be too stressful to handle. I do have a ceramic tree with lights that I made so that might be the way to go and make a mini tree skirt.
I love to bake so I'm thinking of having a go at making gingerbread trees and stars with icing for a change as I normally do a cake of some sort. This way I can make them a few days in advance instead of the night before Christmas. I hope they will last til Christmas day.
Who knows what else might take my fancy? We still have a few weeks to go to Christmas so there is time to come up with some more interesting projects.

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

This week we have received two new Riley Blake Fabric ranges. First there is Twice as Nice by The Quilted Fish.

The second one is Snips & Snails Collection by Doodlebug Designs.

Two totally different ranges but both gorgeous fabric ranges. You can purchase these fabrics at www.cynthiasark.com.au at $21.00 a metre. Minimum cut is 20cm. For our new customers the fabric on the web shop is in 10cm increments and priced that way. So if you want 40cm you put in 4 in the quantity box and you will receive a 40cm piece of fabric.

Saturday, November 23, 2013

On Saturday 23rd November we were trading at the Barossa Craft Fair & Market in Tanunda. This is a yearly event in November. The event is organised by the Barossa Outside School Hours Care Services Inc. The weather was cool with a few showers. A nice change from last years heat. We had a good day trading. It is always good to catch up with some of our online customers in person and meet new ones. Here are some photos I took. The lighting isn't very good in the hall so the pictures aren't the best.

That was our last event for this year, but visit www.cynthiasark.com.au and check out our event listing for future events. I know there is already 3 events in the pipeline for us next year.

Monday, November 18, 2013

After receiving the last shipment of batik fabrics I was inspired to create something new. I have created the pattern and picked my fabrics and although I haven't used any of the new fabrics in my newest creation, I have been able to included a batik mystery sampler pack.

These are the fabrics I have picked. Two contrasting fabrics and a Batik Mystery Sampler pack(4 inch squares).

I will share more pictures when I start sewing.

Sunday started out early, I took the morning off. My husband and I took the boat up to Blanchetown and we went for a cruise up the River Murray to road test the repairs he had done. It was a beautiful morning for boating and being out on the water. On our return to Blanchetown we stopped long enough for a bite to eat before heading home.

So after lunch it was time to start preparation for the Barossa Craft Fair and Market. I needed to sort the fabric boxes out, tidy them up and restock them with all the new fabrics as we have not done a fair since the June long weekend. Then stock needs to be packed ready for Friday for loading. There is always so much to do before a fair.

A couple of the fabric boxes are ready to go, but there is still 3 more to finish. Fabric is cut, it just needs to be folded and packed. Barossa Craft Fair & Market is on Saturday 23rd November 9.30am-3.30pm at the Tanunda Show Hall, Tanunda. The fair has over 50 stalls, Card/Scrapbook workshops, belly dancing demonstrations, light lunches, Devonshire teas and more. It is a great place to get some of your Christmas shopping done and treat yourself to a day out.

Until next time keep stitching

Cynthia

PS I only have 45 more 6 inch batik log cabin blocks to go before I can start sewing the quilt top together.﻿

Friday, November 8, 2013

This week I have been out attending a couple of events. The first was the 21st Adelaide Knife Show. Yes a knife show. A friend of our was trading there for the first time so we went to show our support in the craft he has chosen to learn. I was pleasantly surprised I didn't know what to expect. So I was surprised that I found it very interesting. We met some very talented people and learned more about this craft. Many hours of work had gone into the handcrafting most of the knives we viewed. Each so different from the last one, from the shape of the blades to the handles. Each one a master piece in it own right. I suppose this craft just like quilting and other crafts came about for the need to have every day items to survive. I'm glad to see there is still some people out there that want to learn these crafts it would be a shame to lose this craft. We have already lost some much knowledge over the generations.

The other event I visited was the Craft & Quilt Fair on Thursday with some good friends and we had a ball. It is so different just being a visitor than trading. It gave me a good chance to look around and see what other talented crafters are doing. Something you don't get much of chance to do when you are trading. I was looking for some projects to improve my skills and knowledge, for new gadgets and tools to make all our lives easier. There is so much I want to try and master I don't know where I am going to find the time but I will try. I will share my adventures as they happen good or bad. SA Festival of Quilts was a delight to visit, so much inspiration on display. So many talented quilters sharing their work with us. Maybe one day I will be brave enough to enter one of my quilts.

A new shipment of batik fabrics arrived on Monday so I have loaded them on the shop www.cynthiasark.com.au They will be $21.00 a metre but until Monday they are on special for $16.00 a metre as part of our We are Not at the Craft & Quilt Fair sale. With patterns discounted and a range of fabrics on sale from $5.00 a metre what else could you want. The new batiks are featured on the home page so they are easy to find.
The new batiks fabrics.
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Berry Jam

Blue Spotty Circles

Garden Mess

Jungle Tides

Sky Tides Green
River Pond Star Flower
Water and Earth Jungle Screams

Finally I did get a little sewing done this week and I finished Dottie, my version of The Rivendale Collection Dottie Table runner. I hand quilted this one. Good practise.